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StrongStart



StrongStart Early Learning

StrongStart is a free drop-in program offered to parents and caregivers with children ages zero to five years old.  StrongStart program emphasizes learning through play, language and positive social interactions.

StrongStart provides a rich learning environment, designed for early learning development.  Qualified early childhood educators lead learning activities where children find opportunities to make friends and interact with others of similar ages.  The overall learning experience is shared as parents and caregivers attend with their children and are encouraged to get involved in activities like telling stories, playing games and serving healthy snacks.  English as a first language is not necessary to attend a StrongStart program.

If you are interested in seeing what a circle time looks like in the classroom, please visit Circle Time Videos to see some of our facilitators.

There are 19 StrongStart programs operating in elementary schools across Vancouver. If you are looking for resources to use at home, please visit our StrongStart Online Resources for more ideas on activities, songs, and stories.

Check the table at the bottom for StrongStart Centres in your neighbourhood. To view a location map, please check our StrongStart Flyer.


Program Details:

  • All Vancouver StrongStart programs are operating on a drop-in format on a first-come first-served basis. 
  • We are open Monday to Friday. Please check below for our closure schedule and hours of operation at each centre.
  • Each family can have only one adult and up to three children. 
  • The number of times you can attend per week is dependent on your center. Please check with your facilitator when you drop-in. 
  • You will be required to sign-in when you enter the classroom. Please do not attend if you or your child is sick.
  • Frequent handwashing is encouraged. 


Returning Families:

If your child has previously enrolled and participated in StrongStart, there's no requirement to re-register them for the same StrongStart center. Please download and bring in completed Media and CASL Consent Forms to your StrongStart centre if this is your first visit this school year.


New Families:

In order to register your child for StrongStart, please complete below steps.

Step 1: Complete an online application form

Step 2: Verifying Documentation

  • Please bring in below documents to your primary StrongStart centre for verification on your first visit. Appointment is not required. Please drop-in during operation hours.
  • Documents verification can also be done at the Early Learning Centre at Mackenzie Elementary School (Room 169 - 960 39th Ave E, Vancouver) between 9:30am - 12:30pm or 2pm - 3:30pm Monday to Friday. 


Proof of Child’s Birthdate

One of:

□ Canadian birth certificate

□ Canadian passport

□ Immigration Canada Document

□ Permanent Resident Card (front and back)

 

Proof of Residency

One of:

□ BC Driver’s License or Enhanced BC Driver’s License showing parent’s/guardian’s name

□ Hydro/Gas/Cable Bill, showing parent’s/guardian’s name

□ Utility/Municipal Tax bill, showing parent’s/guardian’s name

□ Residential Tenancy Agreement, showing parent’s/guardian’s name


  • Please also download and bring in completed Media and CASL Consent Forms to each centre you attend. 
  • You are not required to bring in a printed copy of the application form that you receive to your email after online application is completed. 

 

Changing locations: 

If you like to change a StrongStart location or add a location, please email your request to strongstart@vsb.bc.ca with your child’s legal name, date of birth, and assigned sex at birth. 

 

Important Dates and Closure Schedule:

Monday, October 7, 2024 - Renfrew StrongStart will be closed. 
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - Henderson StrongStart will be closed.
Thursday, October 10, 2024 - Grenfell StrongStart will be closed.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - Henderson, Mackenzie, Moberly, Selkirk and Queen Alexandra AM will be on a pumpkin patch field trip. If you are interested in participating, please connect with your facilitator for more information. If you are not interested, you are welcome to visit any of other StrongStart locations with classrooms open.
Friday, October 25, 2024 - All StrongStart centres will be closed.
Friday, November 8, 2024 - All StrongStart will be closed.
Friday, November 22, 2024 - All StrongStart centres will be closed.
Monday, December 23 to Friday, January 3, 2025 - All StrongStart centres will be closed for Winter Break.
Monday, January 6, 2025 - All StrongStart centres will re-open after Winter Break.

Please note that all StrongStart Centres will also be closed on any statutory holidays.


Vancouver School Board StrongStart Early Learning Centres

A StrongStart location map can also be found in the link below. Please choose "StrongStart Early Learning" under "Search by Program" drop down menu.

School Directory and Map

Champlain Heights Annex 
Rm 107 - 7835 Champlain Cres. V5S 4J6
TEL:   (604) 713-4880
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Queen Alexandra (AM and PM programs)
Room 108 - 1300 E. Broadway V5N 1V6 
TEL:  (604) 713-4599
Mon to Fri (AM) 9:00am-12:00pm
Mon to Fri (PM) 1:00pm-3:00pm
Collingwood (AM and PM programs)
Rm 107 - 3417 Euclid Ave. V5R 6H2
TEL:  (604) 713-5340
Mon to Fri (AM) 9:00am-12:00pm
Mon to Fri (PM) 1:00pm-3:00pm
Renfrew
Rm 167 - 3315 E 22nd Ave. V5M 2Z2
TEL: (604) 713-4851
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Cook 
Rm 160 - 3340 E 54th Ave. V5S 1Z3
TEL:  (604) 713-4828
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Selkirk 
Portable#1  - 1750 E 22nd Ave. V5N 2P7
TEL:  (604) 713-4650
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Douglas
Rm 106 - 2150 Brigadoon Ave. V5P 3Z7
TEL:  (604) 713-4817
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Seymour
Rm 012 - 1130 Keefer Street V6A 1Z3
TEL:  (604) 713-4641
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Grenfell 
Rm 103 - 3323 Wellington Ave. V5R 4Y3
TEL: (604) 713-4844
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Tecumseh
Portable - 1850 E 41st Ave. V5P 1K9
TEL:  (604) 713-5390
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Henderson
Rm 179 - 451 E. 53rd Ave. V5X 1J3
TEL: (604) 713-4837
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Thunderbird 
Rm 108 - 2325 Cassiar Street V5M 3X3
TEL:  (604) 713-4611
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Mackenzie
Rm 168 - 960 E 39th Ave. V5W 1K8
TEL: (604) 713-4799
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Waverley 
Rm 107 - 6111 Elliott Street V5S 2M1
TEL:  (604) 713-4752
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Moberly 
Rm 8 - 1000 E. 59th Ave. V5X 1Y7 
TEL: (604) 713-4784
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm
Xpey' (PM Program)
Rm A102 - 1950 E. Hastings Street V5L 1T7
TEL: (604) 713-4696
Monday to Friday
1:00pm-3:00pm
Mt Pleasant  
Rm 111 - 2300 Guelph Street V5T 3P1 
TEL:  (604) 713-4617
Monday to Friday
9:00am-12:00pm




If you have questions about our StrongStart program, please contact


604-713-4445


 or strongstart@vsb.bc.ca



View our Preparing for Kindergarten booklet: 


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